After an 11-day break, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League resumes this weekend with some mouth-watering matches on the menu. However, the take by pundits is that the highlight of the nine-match program is the encounter between second-placed Tusker and one-time frontrunner KCB in Ruaraka this afternoon.

Just before the top-tier league took an interval, Tusker coach Robert Matano declared that they are intent on defending their title by hook and crook, the protracted challenges notwithstanding.

“Yes, the league is a marathon and that’s why dropping any point could be counterproductive for every team chasing the title. But as I have always said, my boys are hungry to be coroneted champions once again,’ said Matano.

He added: “We do not expect success to come on a silver platter as we will have to fight every inch of our way to get what we want,”

Tusker may be title hopefuls but make no mistake though. Their opponents KCB have vowed to give them pound for pound and indeed any other team they will be thrown at in their quest to rejoin the groove of leaders. Placed fifth in the chart, KCB handlers have said it is too premature to write them o as potential titlists with Head Coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno indicating as much.

“We still have eleven matches to go before winding up the season and to me, it does not make sense to allude that KCB is out of the running for the title. Obviously, it is tough but just watch KCB beginning with today’s match against Tusker and indeed others in the remainder of the season,” said Otieno.

Early this week, bankers visited a children’s home in Nairobi where they donated foodstuffs to needy families and will be hoping that the philanthropy will hand them the divine intervention to bring Tusker down to earth.

In the meantime, Sofapaka starts life without head coach Ken Odhiambo who has just resigned with his replacement David Ouma intent on picking his first win when he leads the battalion in a tricky match against FC Talanta in Ruaraka tomorrow.

Ouma, who has previously coached the national women’s team, the Harambee Starlets, believes Batoto Ba Mungu can produce a good brand of football to see o the newbies who were once on fire but are now blowing cold. Sofapaka, the 2009 champions, are in an odd 13th position in the standings which implies that Ouma has the pressure to deliver on his appointment although he reckons it is possible.

“We are in the right frame of mind. Talanta is a good side but we want to prove that we are worlds apart from them in as far as experience is concerned. Of course, my players know what needs to be done to help the team haul itself up in the standings,’’ said Ouma. –

FKF PL WEEKEND FIXTURES: TODAY: Nairobi City Stars vs Bandari (Ruaraka 1.00 pm), KCB vs Tusker (Ruaraka 3.00 pm), Wazito vs Gor Mahia (Marok 3.00 pm), Kakamega Homeboyz vs Ulinzi Stars (Bukhungu 3.00 pm), SUNDAY: Kenya Police vs AFC Leopards (Kasarani Annex 1.00 pm), Kariobangi Sharks vs Bidco United (Kasarani Annex 3.00 pm), FC Talanta vs Sofapaka (Ruaraka 3.00 pm), Nzoia Sugar vs Vihiga Bullets (Sudi 3.00 pm), Posta Rangers vs Mathare United (Thika 3.00 pm).